Chili Pepper (Nutmeg’s Dad) loves the “wedge” salad. Essentially, a large wedge of iceberg lettuce with blue cheese dressing. This salad can be found in every steak restaurant in North America, if they do not have it on the menu you may want to check their credentials. There are of course variations on the classic theme; add bacon bits (real or not so real) or add tomato pieces (mostly for color) or nuts (way too healthy). In the end there is very little nutritional value, although who really cares as it will most likely be followed by a rare steak and fully garnished baked potato. The wedge salad is truly a classic, there are historical references to the lettuce from the 1920s and to the salad mixture from the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Enjoy (on behalf of Nutmeg…she is eating Mache)
Tags: Healthy Salads, Wedge Salad Recipe
As you might have gathered Nutmeg is in the desert and it is not that warm so she has some time to add to all the really useful food information in this blog. So the question about dates came to mind… Here are the facts:
The Date Palm (scientific name Phoenix dactylifera), also known as the Medjool palm is a tall, beautiful and majestic tree that is known for its edible sweet fruits, the dates. The tree belongs to the Arecaceae family and the genus Phoenix. The Date palm produces true real dates. It is the second most known and most useful palm tree in the world after the Coconut palm tree.
The Phoenix Dactylifera is one of the world’s oldest trees. It has been grown for thousands of years in hot, dry, desert regions throughout the world. It is an important multipurpose tree in the Middle East, Asia and North Africa. The Date palm tree is a holy symbol. It was historically mentioned in the Bible, the Koran and other religious books. Many cultures are based on this tree. It has been called “the tree of life”. The real Date palm can provide all life necessities: food, medicine, shelter, fuel, building materials and materials for weaving and basket making. It is a symbol of fertility and hospitality in many countries.
The date fruit is one of the most important sources of nutrition for people in the Middle East. It is considered to be a delicacy. The date is a good source of sugar, potassium, protein, fat and minerals. People in this area have eaten dates since ancient times.
Only a female tree can form dates, large trees will produce up to 1000 dates/year. A tree usually starts producing fruits after 5-8 years. It takes about 7 months for dates to ripen. The delicious fruits are harvested from September to early December.
Here is a recipe for Trail Bars using dates:
Tags: Easy healthy snack recipes, Healthy Granola Bars, healthy snack bar recipes, Recipes with Dates
Nutmeg could not be happier to discover some coffee options in the land of Starbucks. The alternative coffee-house options much like really good restaurant options in Palm Springs, Palm Desert and most of Riverside County are limited. There are of course the ubiquitous Starbucks outlets in almost every second strip mall. However, as you may have gathered that is almost the land of last resort for Nutmeg.
Tags: Koffi Palm Springs, palm desert coffee shops, Palm Desert Restaurants, Things to do in Palm Desert, Travel Palm Springs
If you were stuck on a desert island what would you eat?
If you are visiting Palm Desert what would you eat??
The choices on an island are slim and in Palm Desert are vast, although far from fantastic. In Palm Desert (and most of the surrounding area) it is a safe bet you will find lots of food chains, big restaurants, large menus, sizable helpings and mediocre food. Nutmeg says this may sound terrible and although it is not a crisis, you need to try hard to find the gems – don’t worry this is one challenge she is always up for!
One of these gems is NO DA TE on El Paseo in Palm Desert . This small sushi restaurant has never disappointed. The sushi chef and owner Shin is very involved, if he is not making sushi he is in the restaurant making sure the quality is just so. Ideally, try to sit at the sushi bar to catch the food preparation in progress and the people scene developing – neither of which disappoint. The people scene usually involves some enhanced body parts, large hair, bright very white smiles and possibly some illicit couples…lots of fun if the food prep is boring.
The food will not disappoint. They have many really creative inside and outside rolls. Nutmeg has voted M-63 her favorite with shrimp tempura and spicy tuna. The carpaccios are awesome too – the halibut and yellow tail were fantastic this week – always ask the chef for his recommendations. In addition, they have specials and ladies nights with half-price rolls so it is worth checking into if you are in town.
So whether you are stuck on a desert island or Palm Desert you will be great hands if you visit NO DA TE.
Enjoy!
NOTE: the other great rolls to try are No Name 5, B-Kevin and GSP 2 (it’s not on the board as for a GSP with Spicy Tuna)
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Tags: Palm Desert, Restaurant Reviews, restaurants, Things to do in Palm Desert
Hot Sauce has a milestone birthday this week. Although, she does not want to advertise the specifics, let us just say that it starts with a “7”. So in order to celebrate Nutmeg’s family converged in Toronto for a weekend of celebration. Nutmeg’s sister Bernaise decided that they would host the weekend event. This is no small undertaking as the family is well practiced in the art of consumption on many levels. In fact there was an emergency run to the LCBO (“Large Central Booze Organization” or as Nutmeg calls it the Ontario liquor monopoly) to refill the stock of wine. It was almost a national emergency!!! There is no question that the LCBO has been able to position themselves well in the marketplace – some might call it a monopoly….the Avenue road store is impressive with a two-level underground, heated parkade and four freight elevators to make sure you are not restricted by what you can carry. Nutmeg is convinced the LCBO margins are pretty good. 🙂
To celebrate the big milestone birthday, Bernaise called in Chef Gabe of Chef Revolution. Chef Gabe is not only talented but very accommodating as the family dynamics range from 2 years to the early 70’s. We were treated to many fantastic appetizers; shrimp and lobster cakes, Ahi tuna crisps, risotto balls and shrimp and fig crostini. That might have been enough for dinner but Chef Gabe followed with a spinach and berry salad, an orange sorbet (“palate cleanser”), pan roasted red snapper with mixed pepper slaw. Gabe wanted to make sure no one went home hungry so he whipped up a desert platter with tastes of creme caramel, coconut ice cream, chocolate cherry tart ….very few were able to make it through the selection although Ginger gave it a college try.
Bernaise and her hubby Scoobie (who wants to be known as Sizzle Zone) were fantastic hosts and the whole family had a great opportunity to reconnect.
The ingredients for a successful family reunion:
Happy Birthday Hot Sauce!!
Tags: Travel with Family
